Riviera Pebbles Blog: Activities on the Riviera – Waterskiing

Posted on 29th May 2018 in Go & Do

Riviera waterskiing in 1959 © Nationaal Archief Fotocollectie Anefo, courtesy of Wikicommons

Although waterskiing was believed to have been invented in the US’s Midwest, it is Juan-les-Pins’ swish Hôtel Belles Rives that lays claim to popularising this new-fangled pastime in Europe throughout the 1920s and 30s.

It is no surprise as during this period the resort town was attracting international trendsetters like Coco Chanel and Charlie Chaplin. F Scott Fitzgerald and his wife Zelda even lived in the Belles Rives before it was transformed into a hotel.

Today the Belles Rives' Ski Nautique Club (waterskiing club) operates off the hotel's pontoon daily throughout summer. Lessons are available to guests and non-guests alike.

For visitors who would rather make the most of Nice’s endless strip of seafront, there are plenty of waterskiing options along the beaches here too.

Top picks include Glisse Evasion, located opposite the Hôtel Negresco, and Nikaia Glisse, just south of place Masséna.

Fun on the waves can also be had at Beaulieu-sur-Mer’s Riviera Gliss and Bat’ski in Theole-sur-Mer to mention just a couple. A tip from the pros though - be sure to head out early as the sea tends to be calmer in the morning.

However, the glamour of waterskiing does comes at a price. In general, you can expect to spend somewhere from €30 up to around €110 per waterskiing session depending on the location of the school and your previous level of expertise. Be sure to check when making your booking!
May 2018